The Managing Director of the ABC, Mark Scott, opens the North Australia Forum by first acknowledging the Larrakia people, the traditional owners of the land.

In his jovial manner, Mr Scott goes on to describe the Forum as, "The largest gathering of great minds since the 2020 summit, or when Phillip Adams dined alone".

Mr Scott acknowledges that the public holds great expectations of the ABC. He says the audience wants a sense of continuity but also an ABC that is evolving, innovative and looks toward the future.

This Forum signifies part of the public broadcaster's charter, "That's exactly where we want the ABC to be, sharing a discussion of ideas and a way of bringing us together".

Mark Scott says he supports the North Australia Forum because the ABC should be a "center for ideas" and a place that embraces "interesting and innovative thinkers".

Mr Scott says that Australia's North has shared interests and challenges that cross state and territory borders.

The media landscape is changing in North Australia and the ABC plays a big part in that.

Mr Scott says interactivity on ABC Local websites, radio programs and new television programs such as "Q and A', hosted by Tony Jones, is allowing the audience to "host the conversation" themselves.

Mr Scott says the ABC is also looking at how it can create television in a different way, inviting the audience to use technology to be involved, to ask questions themselves.

Mr Scott particularly talked about the role of radio and particularly local radio, "I've often felt that local radio is the spine that runs through the ABC... Local radio, local voices, local stories, reporting back to the local community, is the best way to of communicating to the community."

He says there are 12 local radio stations across the north; streaming, creating opportunities for the audience to feedback.

Mr Scott says fewer and fewer commercial outlets are going to be able to meet the local needs like the ABC can. "How much more important is it that the ABC continues to make that investment in local views, local voices," he says. "The importance of ABC in hosting the conversation is very important.

"We're taking advantage of the technology to allow the audience to engage," he says.

Mr Scott speaks about the concept of the ABC as a town square, also about the vital role in promoting arts and music.

He believes new technology offers opportunities to connect further with isolated communities, "To connect more Australians, in more ways, more often with more voices".